Hi, I'm Mel. Among other things, I am a culinary management graduate and live with my husband John, my kids - Emily and Wade and our dogs - Toby and Bella. I am recreating a life and a lifestyle for myself and my family – including our pets. Toby is a Border Collie/Golden Retriever mix and Bella, a Malinois/Husky mix and they are the happy taste testers of a lot of our products. We’ve recently added a lovely nearly nine month old Great Pyrenees named Eira to our pack. She is fitting in beautifully if she is still a little timid.
I started this venture by making healthy food choices and snacks for our pets and decided that others may have the same concerns we did; not just with price but questioning what exactly we were putting into our pets and what those ingredients were doing to them?
The more I researched, the more I learned that just because something is safe for us doesn’t mean that its safe for our pets; and that most of the products available for pet treats and pet foods out there are full of harmful ingredients. Something that is safe for my dog, might cause yours to have an allergic reaction; just like humans. And cats…they are so much more susceptible to reactions with certain foods and other products, mainly because of their size and body composition; their liver just can’t process a lot of what we use on a daily basis.
I have turned my search for information into a small business, making and selling healthy treats and other products for pets using ingredients that you or I might eat but with no additives, no preservatives; just made with care and quality control. We’re starting with dogs but have a plan to move to cat treats and foods in the near future.
I am doing something similar with the essential oils I use in my other household products. I couldn’t believe the scents that are toxic to pets. I am creating a line of products to use with and around our pets safely including: candles with muted scents, essential oil blends for diffusers that won't make your pets sick and insect chasers safe for your entire family.
Pets aren’t the only ones with sensitivities; and my products may be more pleasant for people who simply don’t like heavy scents but still enjoy the ambiance of a lit candle.
Our product line has grown with naturally smoked beef knuckle bones and bacon wrapped beef marrow bones. Our products are available year round at our new location starting July 7th at 39 Champlain Street in Deep River - in the liquor store plaza - right beside Godfather’s pizza.
Our handmade products are being sold in various locations throughout the valley currently: The Rusty Lantern Barn Boutique in Eganville and through Mrs. Grocery Pembroke with more in the works.
We have an on-line store for curbside pickup and local free delivery. We also offer our treats through mail order.
Over this past year we have evolved into a full pet supply store “TobyandBellas - Deep River’s Pet Store”. Our line of products includes foods, treats, toys and care supplies for dogs, cats, birds, fish, rodents, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchilla and hedgehogs. We have more to come. WOW. Who knew there were so many varied critters in the area.
I hope to meet you and your pets and get to exchange pet and pet food experiences with you. Stop by the shop to say hi and see if we have what you need; here in Deep River, close to home. If we don’t have what you need, we’ll see if we can get it in for you, and at prices comparable with the large chain stores.
Bye for now!
